Riot police keep close eye on families gathered for Greece's independence day parade

Riot police keep close eye on families gathered for Greece's independence day parade. Thessaloniki, Greece., a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Monday saw independence day marked across Greece. Traditionally, communities large and small celebrate the start of the country's breakaway from the Ottoman Empire in 1821 by holding parades in the centre of towns and villages. This year was no different though the level of policing meant that Athens and other major cities resembled Pyongyang rather than Paris on Bastille Day.

Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city was no exception with the president and other VIPs (who also included a convicted criminal) safely ensconced in the middle of a 1 km no-go zone surrounded by thousands of riot police. The aim of the authorities was to ensure that there would be no repetition of the events of 2011 when a spontaneous protest closed down the annual No day military parade in the city and angry citizens forced president Karolos Papoulias to flee the area. The incident sent shock waves through Greece's deeply unpopular political class revealing as it did the depth of ordinary people's anger towards their rulers.Just weeks later the government resigned.

The present government with its hard line on matters of law and order was taking no chances that such scenes would be repeated and so made sure no protest would be able to get anywhere near the VIP stands. In Athens the central Syntagma Square was emptied of citizens and a wall of buses kept back people from government politicians.

As Greece struggles through yet another year of economic contraction and the government promises yet more austerity cuts the gap between rulers and ruled becomes more and more apparent on such occasions.

"Oi, shut it otherwise we're taking you in" Police to protester

"Oi, shut it otherwise we're taking you in" Police to protester , a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Taken during the Greek independence day parade in Athens which was policed by 7000-10,000 security personnel.

Greek government under siege

Most Greeks in Athens were deeply unhappy with how their Independence day parade was held this year, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

I was wrong. I had thought that the Independence Day parade in Athens yesterday would act as a catalyst for the ground swell of popular anger with the Greek government's deeply unpopular austerity measures. Instead of turning up to jeer and boo their leaders Athenians stayed away from the parade in droves. Just a fraction turned out to cheer the military units that made their way passed parliament and senior government figures.


The reason had less to do with acceptance of the government's policies than the overwhelming police presence and draconian security measures that meant that no one except carefully screened visitors would be allowed within 500m of the VIP stands set up near Syntagma Square.Along the rest of the route place lined both sides of the road with riot police units literally waiting on every corner. In terms of keeping the peace the event was a complete success as no one was allowed to demonstrate anywhere near the parade, let alone bring it to a halt. All that was needed was the transformation of the centre of Athens into an armed camp with seemed to have more in common with Pyongyang than any EU capital.


Greek media reported that anywhere between 4,500 and 13,000 police and security personnel were needed to police the parade.

In other parts of Greece, less favoured by central government a very different story was playing out. In Patra, Larissa, Kozani and many other smaller towns the police were unable to muster overwhelming numbers with the result that protests went ahead leading to wide use of tear gas and clubs against people during what is meant to be a national celebration attended by all the family.


However, since nothing happened in Athens the media and the government are happy that all is well in the state of Greece. They believe that that tensions can be kept in check and that come the elections, whatever party wins the most seats it will be business as usual with a PASOK - New Democracy coalition continuing to implement the terms of the troika agreements signed recently. 


On the ground the worsening economic crisis which shows no sign of halting is pushing more and more people to the wall as unemployment and income cuts bite even deeper. Few believe that the parties in power will do anything other than continue polices that have brought about widespread poverty and misery. Although opinion poll show a rise in support for PASOK following the election of Evangelios Venizelos as party leader and a firming up in New Democracy's numbers the results owe more to wishful thinking than a reflection of the situation in the street. According to an article in the Paron newspaper, 7 in 10 people refuse to take part in phone polls so rendering the results unreliable.


Being in Syntagma Square yesterday left me with an belief that the present government is both terrified of and utterly indifferent to the opinions of its own electorate. Perhaps they really believe their own propaganda or maybe it's just the belief that if push comes to shove they have the power to impose their will, no matter how unpopular upon people.

Greece's government fears an orange revolt

Protests mark Greek independence day parades - Thessaloniki, Greece, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

With Greek Independence day almost upon them the country's political elite has decided to put on its bravest face and take part in the military parade that marks the event. However, the rare public appearance by so many government officials is a security nightmare as the authorities are faced with the possibility that enraged voters will take the opportunity to once more attack politicians as happened a few weeks back on the Greek island of Rhodes.

As a result nothing is being taken to chance in the run up to this weekend's parades in Athens. Local media reports on the number of police and secret service personnel on duty vary from 4,500 to 13,000, with anything up to 3000 riot police on standby ready to intervene with tear gas in case of trouble.

Evacuation plans for government officials have been drafted and the orange trees that line boulevards of central Athens are being stripped of their fruit lest they be used to pelt cabinet members. The police have warned that they will be carrying out random bag checks and anyone found in possession of eggs, tomatoes or yogurt could face arrest.

Even the media have come under closer scrutiny as the Greek government has demanded that only those accredited by Athens city council be allowed access to the parades, an unprecedented move.

The draconian security measures are designed to avoid a repetition of the PR debacle suffered by the previous Papandreou government during 28th October military parade in the northern port city of Thessaloniki when the president was forced to flee the VIP stand after angry protesters temporarily shut down the parade.

While no one knows how Sunday will play out the potential for conflict is extremely high as an angry electorate, feeling betrayed by its political rulers comes face to face with those they feel responsible for their present plight. darker voices even talk of deliberate provocation, with the idea that scenes of violent clashes will allow the present government to put off elections and so avoid a humiliating defeat at the polls.

I will be present in Syntagma Square on Sunday and whatever happens I will try my best to record it both on video and in photographs.

The Greek dairy producer FAGE is proud to sponsor this year's Greek Independence Day parade.

The Greek dairy producer FAGE is proud to sponsor this year's Greek Independence Day parade., a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Throwing yogurt is a traditional way for Greeks to show dissatisfaction with their leaders. Given the rising levels of anger that ordinary people feel with the government in Athens, I predict dairy producers will have a field day during the annual Greek Independence day (25th March) parades this year as public officials make a rare public appearance.

Jokes aside, this year's parade in Athens is going to be policed by 13,000 police officers and security service personnel who will be doing random bag searches to prevent the government from being pelted with yogurt, eggs or tomatoes. In addition 3000 riot police will be on standby in case of trouble. The authorities are seeking to avoid a repeat of the PR debacle on 28th October when demonstrators temporarily closed down the military parade in Thessaloniki and forced the president to flee. Less than two weeks after that event the Greek prime minister, Giorgos Papandreou resigned leading to the formation of a new coalition government led by unelected banker, Lukas Papademos.

Greek riot police clash with protesters during Independence Day parade

Greek riot police clash with protesters during Independence Day parade, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Protesters unhappy with with austerity measures and Greece's involvement in Nato's Libyan campaign demonstrated during the annual independence day parades leading to the intervention of riot police .

www.demotix.com/news/635506/greek-independence-celebratio...

Greeks protest during independence day celebration

Greeks protest during independence day celebration, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Greeks protest during independence day celebration

Greeks protest during independence day celebration, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Immediately after the traditional 25th March independence parade protesters took to the streets to demonstrate against the government austerity package.

Independence day in Greece

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